A Grandmother's Prayer
A circle.A symbol of unity. Unbrokenness. Wholeness.In a family circle, the edges are fluid. Children are added and the circle expands. Through death the circle gets smaller, but the memories of those we have lost still live on in the hearts of those left in the circle, so in many ways, those who have gone before still remain with us.
My grandparents in Grandma's flower garden.
I have distinct memories of sitting in a circle with cousins, aunts, uncles, siblings and parents around my grandparents' dining room table. Each evening my grandmother, Lillian Wika, would lead the family devotions after supper. We would sit in our circle of chairs and listen as she read some thoughts, a scripture, and a prayer. I remember Grandma would often pray for missionaries to go out to all the world to tell people about Jesus.
My grandma has been gone now for 28 years, yet last night I was recalling her prayers as I sat in a circle in our living room with parents, siblings and friends of six people going to Mozambique, Africa from our church. Aleah and Zach, two of our children, are part of that six, going to minister alongside our missionary friends, Jon and Layne Heller. They will be spending time in the oncology and dermatology wards in an African hospital, living out the words in Matthew 25:36, "I was sick and you visited me...." They will also be helping with a day camp for street kids.
Zach will be there for two weeks. Aleah will be there for two months.
The Mozambique Team: Holly and Matt Jacks, Connor
Osborn, Aleah and Zach Hartke, Dewey Jefferies
Last night as we sat in a circle, my children prayed about their upcoming trip. My husband and I, as parents, joined that prayer. And my parents, who are in town visiting, echoed that prayer as grandparents. Three generations prayed for God's protection. For divine encounters. For God to work in the hearts of those going and in the lives they will touch.
But there was a fourth generation represented.
My grandmother's prayer was there. Being answered. A woman my children have never met, who died before they were born.
Yet my children are a fulfillment of her prayers.
Which is why, I think, for Christians, the circle is a symbol for eternity. Our time on earth is limited. We will not always physically remain in the family circle. But our prayers have no such time restraints, because God is there to hear them. And he promises that when two or three people gather in his name, that he is right there. In the middle of them. When we pray, we invite Him to join the circle.
My grandmother never traveled more than a couple hundred miles from her farm in Clark, South Dakota, yet her prayer traveled through time to touch a generation yet to be born.
To me, that is mind bending.
Do you want to leave a legacy for your children and grandchildren?
Do you want to influence future generations?
Do you want to live a life beyond this life?
Pray.